Beverage premix system



Jan- 4, 1949. J. KANTOR ET AL 2,457,903

BEVERAGE PREMIX SYSTEM (zcaum/vump f2 pu mp INVENTORS James Kaz' my BY: fz/waz?? fosezreajg;

T Tae/VEVS Jan. 4, 1949. J. KANTOR ETAL BEVERAGE PREMIXYSYSTEM Filed July 16, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 4, 1949.

J. KANTOR ErAl.

BEVERAGE PREMIX, SYSTEM Filed Juiy 16, 194s 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEVERAGE PREMIX SYSTEM Application July 16, 1943, Serial No. 494,972

9 Claims.

` The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for preparing carbonated beverages` prior to the bottling of the same.

Heretofore, it has been almost the general commercial practice, in preparing and bottling carbonated beverages, to mix the flavoring with a carbonated water in the bottles. In other words, it has been the general practice, heretofore, to deliver to the bottle or container for the carbonated beverage, a predetermined supply or quantity of fiavoring syrup by one lling machine and then by a second machine or by an adjunct lling apparatus, deliver to the bottle or container sufficient carbonated water to fill the container to proper level and tomake the proper mix. Y While apparatus of this character has produced extremelysatisfactory results, there are certain disadvantages to such a method, to-wit, the size of the machine or apparatus is materially increased and, furthermore, the syrup itself, having not been carbonated, will absorb a certain proportion of the CO2` of the water and, as a result, the total CO2 contained in the mix may be slightly reduced unless, -of course, the carbonated water itself is more highly carbonated. However, to deliver a more highly carbonated water to the container to compensate for the absorption by the syrup is apt to render the water so "lively that it is sometimes diiiicult to handle the same without creating foaming in the container and without materially slowing down the iilling process.

Furthermore, the mixing of the syrup and Water in the container necessitates an additional means for agitating the container to insure a thorough mixing of the syrup and the water in the container, which generally requires additional mechanism.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for thoroughly mixing the water and syrup prior to its delivery to the container and to properly carbonate the mixed water and syrup prior to its delivery to the container, whereby a more satisfactory mixture of the materials may be obtained and whereby a more speedy handling and bottling of the carbonated beverage may be attained.

For the purpose of disclosing the invention and method, we have illustrated an apparatus in the accompanying drawings for carrying out the method of mixing the material. In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, certain of the parts being shown in full, of an apparatus embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the tanks, either the syrup, or the water tank; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit arrangement of the apparatus for controlling the flow of material.

In the apparatus illustrated, a mixing tank I is provided, which is preferably of cylindrical shape, being closed at its top by a round dome 2 having a flange 3 bolted or otherwise secured to a flange 4 at the top of the tank I. The bottom of the tank is likewise closed by an inverted domeshaped bottom 5 having a flange 6 which is bolted or otherwise secured to a flange 1 on the bottom of the cylindrical section or portion I of the tank. Within this tank is arranged a preferably tubular or cylindrical column 8 which is mounted, at its lower end, within a neck 9 formed on the top I0 of a spider II. The legs of this spider are provided with outturned flanges I2 which are clamped between the flanges 6 and 1. At the upper end of the column 8 is provided a plurality of drip pans I3 and I4, one arranged above the other, which surround the column but which, as at I5,` are slightly spaced from the column. Each pa'is sustained in position by an annular ring I6 supported at the outer end of a pan I1 secured to the column and the ring IE is located a slight distance within the upturned iiange I8 of the pan.

At vthe bottom of the column is provided a baffle plate or pan I9 somewhat cup-shaped, being supported in the neck 9 of the spider member II and spaced apart from the column 8. Escape openings 2l] are provided in the neck to permit the outiiow of liquid from the pan.

The liquids to be admitted to the tank are delivered through a valve nozzle 2| in the top dome 2 which nozzle is provided with an annular skirt 23 and with a valve seat 24. Cooperating with this valve seat is a valve 25 carried on a oat rod 26 extending through the column 8 and guided at its bottom end in a bearing 21 at the top of the spider 28 secured in the bottom dome 5. Carried by this noat rod 26 is a float 29 which, when the liquid in the tank reaches a predetermined level, will rise and close the valve 25, shutting off further admission of liquids to the tank.

A syrup tank 3|] is supported from a bracket 3| secured to the ange 4 at the top of the tank, which syrup tank is adapted to contain a suitable supply of syrup to be delivered to the mixing tank I. A water tank 32, similar in construction to the syrup tank is supported on the opposite side of the mixing tank I by a bracket 33, likewise supported from the flange 4. The syrup tank 3D delivers to the delivery nozzle 2| and into the tank l through a suitable conduit pipe 35 which has arranged therein a calibrating valve 36 provided with a handle 3l for adjusting the Valve to permit the syrup to flow at a predetermined rate therethrough. This pipe 35 delivers through4 a delivery orifice 38 ina coupling 3S, which coup-ling has a second' orice 4u connected with a supply pipe 4l in turn connected to the water tank 32 through a calibrating valve 42 similar in construction and operation to the. valve 35. The coupling 40 in turn communicates through a solenoid controlled Vahle 43 with the inlet nozzle 2l. It is to be noted that in each of the tanks the supply pipes 35 and 4l each has an extension 413 which extendsl almost tothe bottom of the tank, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The water tank 32 is supplied with refrigerated water through the medium of a supply pipe 45 through a suitable solenoid. controlled valve 46. The refrigerated water is supplied through this pipe 45 from e, source under gravity or a, low pump pressure and the supply delivered to. the tank is slightly greater than the requirements of the iilling unit to which the carbonated mixture is utimately delivered. Likewise, the syrup tank 30- has syrup delivered to it through a supply pipe 4l which is provided with a solenoid controlled valve i8 and the syrup, like the water, is delivered through this supply pipe 4.1 under gravi-ty or lowpump pressure at a rate slightly greater than: required to accommodate, the lling unit. For drawing the syrup, and, water intoy the mixing tank l., I create; in this, tank a partial vacuum through the medium of; an exhaust tu'be 459 entering the tank in thev dome 2 above. the baille skirt 23 and through a suitable gauge 50. This exhaust pipe 49 is connected with a suitable vacuum pump iormaintaining the proper degree of partial vacuum in the mixing tank l'.

The mixing tank l is provided with a delivery opening 5l in the bottom` dome 5, which communicates with a discharge pipe 52 connected to a sui-table pump whichdelivers to the carbonating apparatus. The pump. connecting with the pipe 52 creates a suction or partial vacuum substantially equal to the vacuum within the tank l So that the liquid will be deliveredfrom the tank under its own head.

It is to be noted that the pipe 35 leading from the syrup tank 3D is smaller in diameter than the pipe ll leadingy from the water tank 32. By the control mechanism hereinafter described, the liquid leve-l and consequently the head in the tanks 30 and 32 is substantially constant.. In other words, the heads of the two liquids are the same., due, to the fact that the liquid levels are maintained substantially the same. The partial vacuum in the mixing tank I of course is the same in creating a flow of syrup. and water through the respective pipes. However,P with the heads in the respective tanks, 32 and 3l!l maintained the same or Substantially the same, and the Vacuum effecting a flowfrom these tanks; being the same, by adjusting the diameters of the pipes 44 and 35, the relative volume of now of liquid and syrup into the mixing tank may be maintained.

In the operation of the device so far as is described, water and syrup, as heretofore described, are delivered to the syrup tank 30 and the water tank 32. A vacuum is drawn inthe mixing tank, The calibrated valve 36. is setto pass the desired quantity of the syrup and the calibrated valve 42 is set to deliver the predetermined quantity .of

dll

water, the respective quantities of water and syrup being determined by the proportion of syrup to water, ultimately desired. Under these conditions, the syrup and water will flow through their respective pipes 35 and 4l through the solenoid valve 43 and through the nozzle 2| into the dome 2 of the tank. As the water falls, it will drop into. the top pan Il overflowing over the annular ange IE into the. pan I3. rIhe mixture flows along pan I3 toward the column 8 and into the pan i4', whence it ows outwardly over the upturned flange of this pan I4' and into the pan lli. From the pan I4, it flows inwardly down along the column 3. thereby becoming thoroughly mixed during this. passage back and forth in the pans. Eventually, the mixture Will reach the pan 19 part of the same flowing out and over the top of the pan and part down through the escape Openings. 2G striking against the top l0 of the spider and eventually ilowing into the bottom of the. tank tube discharged, asheretofore described, through. the. discharge pipev 52. If, for any reason, the withdrawal of the mixed water and syrup from the tank is stopped or isv soy slow as to cause a backing up ot the mixture inthe tank, the float 29. will` rise withfthe rise of the liquid levelA in the tank, ultimately closing the valve 2 5 and shutting oit further` supply to the tank until the level drops.

The owing of, the water and. Syrup through the common inlet nozzle helps to. mix the two liquids and, the continued flow.- of the mixed liquids in the pans E13, t4, I'i and |9- has a further tendency to mix thel liquids., so. thatv by the time they are delivered to the bottom ofv the tank., a thorough mixture of. the syrup and water is, accomplished. Due to. the fact thatl the mixed syrup and water iilows in. a thi-n film over the column 8., a more thorough deareation of the mixture is. accomplshed,I it being borne in. mind that. a constant vacuum ismaintained in theA mixing tank l.

It, is almost. essential that if, for any reason, theliquid level in either of the tanksl 3.0 01'132 falls to, an` extremely low point where no. liquid would be. supplied to. the mixing tank, the how to the mixing tankshould be cutoff. It is quite obvious that. in order to. have a more or less. fully automatic; structure, a continuous. flow of the predetermined quantities of syrup and water should be maintained and if, for any reason, this continuous flow of one or the other. should stop, delivery to the mixing tank should stop, otherwise the proportionate amounts of syrupl and water would be. thrown entirelyI out of balance. In. Fig.. 3, we have shown a formA of control which is used Qneach of the tanks. It, is illustrated and; de scribed, however, only as the water inlet` tank. Arranged to be projected into the tank 32is a series of electrodes or. contact members, 53, S4 and 55, supported in an insulated headv 56 threaded into a hollow boss 5l. These electrodes project todiferent levels into the. tank and the electrodes 53 and 54 are connected-y to a solenoid v58 (Fig. 4). controlling the operation of the valve 45. By this arrangement, whenthe liquid in the tank 32l rallsbelow the electrodel 54,. a suitable relay is operated, controlling the. circuit of the solenoid 5.8,v which operatesl the solenoid tov open the control valve 4G- permitting, the, inflow of liquid to the` tank. This i-nilow continues until the liquid level has reached its: high point, and contacts electrode 53. When contact is. made withelectrode 53,.,- arelay isoperated controlling the solenoid 58. which closes the circuit through the solenoid for the purpose of. closing the valve for delivery to the filling apparatus.

46 which remains closed until,` as heretofore stated, the level drops below electrode 54.

The electrode 55, it is to be noted, projects almost to the bottom of the tank and when the liquid gets to this low point, it is reaching the danger mark. Therefore, the circuit arrangement is such that when the liquid drops below the electrode 55, a relay is operated, controlling a solenoid 59 which, in turn, controls a valve 43 and under these circumstances, the solenoid 0D- erates to shut the valve 43, thereforeshutting off all supply of liquid fromieither tank tothe mixing tank until the level of the liquid in the auxiliary or supply tank has been raised above the danger point. Of course, as soon as the liquid level is raised to the point where it engages the end of the electrode 55 the valve 43 is opened and flow ofthe liquids into the tank may Ycontinue.

Under normal operations, with the liquid in both of the tanks above the danger mark, the solenoid 59 normally operates to maintainy the valve 43 open.

It is` to be noted that the above system provides for a steady and uniform ow of syrup and plain cold water, the two being calibrated to deliver a proper proportional amount, into a mixing'tank, wherein a vacuum is maintained. The mixed syrup and wateris deaerated in the vacuum tank u and after the deaeration of the mixture, this mixture is delivered to a carbonator where the mixture as a Whole is carbonated and is then ready As a result of this system, not only is the water for the beverage deaerated before carbonation but the syrup itself which it has been found contains considerable air, is deaerated, thus permitting the absorption, during the carbonating process, of a greater quantity of CO2 and, of course permits the absorption of the CO2 more rapidly. As the u result of the above process, not only is the car- `bo-nation of the mixture facilitated, but, due to the fact that the syrup of the mixture is deaerated and absorbs the CO2, the keeping qualities of the` beverage is materially increased. There is a tendency for the yeast cells to generate in the sugar, forming the base of the syrup, and this is accelerated by the presence of air in the syrup. With the removal of this air from the syrup and the absorption into the syrup of the CO2, the development of these cells in the sugar content of the syrup is largely prevented.

In Fig. 4, I have illustrated a schematic drawing of the circuit connections for controlling the various valves, heretofore described. In i this drawing, it is to be noted that electrodes 53 and 54 for the water tank are connected in acircuit 60 including the solenoid 5B which circuit also includes a relay 6| in turn connected vto the supplyv lines 62. The electrode 55 is connected in a circuit including a relay 63 in turn connected' to the supply lines and controlling the operation of the solenoid 59. i v

The syrup tank electrodes 53 and 54f` are included in a circuit B4 which includes a solenoid 65 for the syrup tank valve, and this solenoid is included in the circuit of a relay 66 connected to the supply lines. The electrode 55 is included in the circuit embracing the mixing tank relay 63 so that this relay controls the mixing tank valve solenoid 59.

Through the medium of a hydrometer enclosed in the glass casing 61 communicating with the tank I through the tube 68, we are provided with a visual check of the specic gravity of the mixpump in the line'52 may be dispensed with as the carbonator pump itself could be caused to create in the pipe 52 a vacuum or partial vacuum substantially i equal to that of the mixing tank. Under these circumstances, gravity alone Would be relied 'on for delivery from the mixing tank to the carbonator.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an apparatus for preparing a carbonated beverage, in combination, a mixing tank, a water tank associated therewith, a conduit extending between said `water tank and said mixing tank, a syrup tank associated with said mixing tank, a conduit connecting said syrup tank with said mixing tank, means for maintaining a partial vacuum in said mixing tank for producing the now of syrup and water into said tank, a calibrated valve for controlling the quantity of water passing through the water conduit, a second calibrated valve` for controlling the quantity of syrup i passing through the syrup conduit, means for shutting oif the now of syrup and water into said mixing tank under predetermined conditions, a carbonator and means for delivering the mixed syrup and Water from said mixing tank to said carbonator.

2. In an apparatus for preparing carbonated beverage, in combination, a mixing tank, means for producing a vacuum in said tank, a vertically `disposed dome arranged Within said mixing tank,

a plurality of liquid receiving pans arranged in series, one above the other, disposed at the top of said column and delivering against the side `Walls of said column, an inlet nozzle arranged in beverage, in combination, a mixing tank, an inlet nozzle arranged in the top of said mixing tank, a water tank associated with said mixing tank, a syrup tank associated with said mixing tank, both of said tanks communicating with said Vinlet nozzle, and means for automatically shutting off the flow through said nozzle, when the liquids in either said water or said syrup tank falls below a' predetermined level.

"l, In an apparatus for preparing carbonated beverage, in combination, a mixing tank, an inlet nozzle arranged at the top of said tank, a syrup tank associated with said mixing tank and communicating with said inlet nozzle, a Water tank associated with said mixing tank and communieating with said nozzle, means for shutting ol the ow of liquid through said nozzle into said mixing tank in event the liquid in either the water tank :or the syrup @tank fialls .below sa VA,predetermined level, and means for shutting off the-110W `:offliquid1throughsaid-inlet nozzleiwhen the liquid in. the mixing tan-k2 rises yabovey a;predetermined level.

5. fIn an apparatus `for.l preparing ,lau carbonated 'beverage,fincombination,sa mixingtankran inlet :nozzle arranged :in inthe top .of said tank, .asyr11p tan-k; associated l withssaid :mixing ftank; communicatingi-with fsaid znozzle, ,a'water tank .associated- :ivithfsaiid .mixing ita-nk `:and fcommunicating Vsivith :vacuum f iny nsaid mixing `tank f or :creating a flow rom said rwaterfand; syrup Atanksjnto said-mixing tank-:andai ondeaerating: the; mixed `liquids in fsaid .frnixingitank said Water-:tank beingiadapted-for connection with -a water-,supplynnd .said syrup 'tank Vbeing: adapted 1 for -zconnection lwith azsyrup supply, means for shutting offzthefinflow of water liquid devel in Veach. said water :and isyrupztanks .for;operatingfsaidishuttoi means when theiliquid vlevel 1in sai-d .lsyrup :or :water tta-nk .falls :Jbelow :a predetermined `-level.

v6. In an apparatuspforpreparingfazcarbonated beverage, in combination,;a;:mixing tank,:-afW,a-ter v tank .deliveringtofsaid tank,;a"syrup;tank delivering to; said Ymixing tank, .means for sup- @lying :saidwwater Tand syrup .tanks :respectively with -watery and fsy-rup, :means :for y:shutting :off :thezsupplyxofu'water or` vsyruputo ;said'.tanksf-.when .the liquid level zinrsaidttanks rses'fabove :aspredetermined point, and means for shuttingroffrthe .flow fof1liquidi tosaidmixing-tank'when-the; liquid in leitherlsaidfwaterxor-syrup tanks zfallsabelow fa Vpreedeterrninecl level.

' Inganapparatus for ,preparingfa carbonated ,"oevciage;4 in combination,` a mixing tankhaving a ,cylindrical :dome supported-r therein;5 a 'plurality of lrningk pans surroundingsaidgdome, spaced apart from .theperiphery thereof and vertically spaced on said dome, an inlet in `the 4top-,fof 'said tank, awater v.tank,supported-,on oneiside `oli-said mixing tank.; a` syruptankv supported :on4 one .side

of saidvtank, a conduitleadingffrorn1saidsympa tankto said mixingtank'inlet, and a secondiconduit leading from said watertank to said mixing tank inlet, the diameter ofisaidl.watertanki'conkduit being Egreater than the diameter @of :.said syrup itank conduit, `means for maintainingthe liquid level in said tanks substantially `equal, wherebythe liquid heads inthe two tanks Awill be maintained thesame, andmeans .-for creating a .partialzvacuum A-insaid mixing tank for .tr-ans- `ferring.theliquids insaid syrup and..waterftanks to said mixing tank and for deaerating said liquids as they flow into-saidmixing tank.

8. In an apparatusforpreparinga .carbonated beverage, in combination, a Amixinfgtanln;a.cylindrical lming dome supported insaidltankrlming pans supported on said dome v,in vertical spacedrelatiomsaid pansbeing spaced fromthe .periphery of `thedo1ne,..a water' tank supported on one sideof said mixing tank andasyrup-tank :supported on onesidemfssaid mixiugptankaacommon inlet arranged -inthe top of said mixing ntiank, @conduits .extending 'from :said water -`tank i'andisaid syrup? tank. to said commoniinlenzmeans rior creating ajpartialvacuum inisaid mixing-,tank 4ioreeiectinga1 iiow of liquids-.through ,said con- '..duits into;saidtankandfordeaerating,said liquids as theyzpass down-.throughsaid tank, a valvelfor :controlling .fthe .ingress .I of 4liquids .through said .;common\in1et: .iand..means ,for closing Ysaid valve when-the. liquidin either saidwatertankor. syrup itankzfallsbelowta, predetermined level.

9. 4In fanapparatus for preparing. a ,carbonated A.beveragain combination, a 4mixing tank,.a.ii1m Vv.ingidome mounted withinY said tank, 'lming pans v.supportedonsaiddomein vertical spaoe'drelation .,and space,d'fromlthelperiphery.of said dome, a

,watentank supported on `one ,side of said .mixing tank and a syrup' tank supported on another side :of..said .mixing tank, said tank having a common ;inlet,ra Aconduit .extending j from vsaid syrup tank Ito. saidcommon inlet, a conduit extending from said Water tank to saidcommon inlet, means for creating a, partial vacuum insaid mixing `tank for 'effecting ya'iflow of"liquids;from said lwater Yand syrup tanks through said conduits, 'said Water tank'being adapted" for connection with a source -ofxfwater vsupply and said syrupA tankl being 'con- ".nectedwith 'a' source'offsyrup supply, a valve 'for r*control-ling Vthe.admissionrif lwater'and syrup into theirespectivettanks fromv the 'source of supply, means-responsive to the' liquid levels insaid tanks *for A'controllingfthe operation of said valves, `a l--valve controllingfthe 'liquid inlet to :said mixing 35 'tankand'meansuesponsive to 'theliquid level in 'ssa-id mixing' tankifor-controllingthe operation of said valve.

. JAMES KANTOR nEDWARD .ROSELNBERG.

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, "FOREIGN PATENTS ,Number ,Country 'Date :540-,002 1 Great Britain 1941 

